This 1975 Jaguar XJ6C is a rarely seen two-door version of the manufacturer’s iconic luxury saloon, and with under 90,000 original miles and no evidence of rust, it’s likely one of the few unrestored survivors left. This Jaguar has been in storage for some time and as such, only fires off with the help of starting fluid, but there’s a great foundation here for some light mechanical work and enjoying, or fixing every last concern to make it into a showpiece. Values for the short-lived coupe are rising, so either path makes sense. Find the Jaguar XJ6C here on eBay with bids to just over $10,000 and no reserve.
This XJ6C really does offer the best of all worlds, as the shorter wheelbase made for a better handling car while the inline-six powerplant is far less of a nuisance to deal with than the V12. That’s not to say these were enormously reliable cars, what with the “Prince of Darkness” electronics and general build quality issues, but your headaches will likely be smaller with a car like equipped as this one is. And given the scarcity of the two-door model, it’s not surprising to see strong bidding already, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it crest $15K. You have to love the old-school California vanity plates – where is Sue now?
The seller claims the Jaguar has been warehouse stored in California for the last 30 years and that the Signal Red paintwork is in excellent condition with no need for a respray. The same can be said for the interior, which benefits from a recent retrim in NOS factory leather seat covers. A Jaguar of this era came loaded with leather, wood trim, and thick carpeting, and all of it can look quite awful with just a few years of neglect. Fortunately for this rare XJ6C, the warehouse it was stored in must have had good climate controls, because the cosmetics are outstanding. Aside from some crazing of the burled walnut dash, the seller doesn’t divulge any other issues.
The seller mentions that the engine builds good oil pressure and fired briefly on starting fluid. As a matter of bringing a vintage car back to life after years of storage, the fuel system will need to be gone through. Some work was previously attempted, as the seller notes one of the fuel pumps is missing. The carbs should also be cleaned up, and I would imagine the tank may need to dropped and cleaned, too. The A/C will need a new electrical control unit, which will be supplied with the car. Overall, the list of needs seems completely manageable, especially on a rare model like this with no rust or body rot. What do you think this rare two-door Jaguar should sell for?
These are nice cars. The only XJ of the series I would buy. I would keep the 6 but do some induction and exhaust mods to get a little more from the old girl.
I have a ’76 Xj6C, and did just that — triple SU carbs, free flowing exhaust, late model injection head (big valves and better cam profiles) and rebuilt with 9 to 1 pistons. Added a gear with a 700R4 trans swap while I was at it. Huge improvement in performance, and the triple carbs look just right in the engine bay.
Always liked the looks of these. Deleting the stock — and always installed by the factory — vinyl top improves the design considerably in my eyes. So do the thinner bumpers without the black rubber bits, which I think were applied to early (and non-U.S.-spec) cars.
These had their issues, though. I seem to recall that the vinyl top coverings had to be applied to cover imperfections in the fabricated, not stamped, coupe roof panel. There were other “fixes” that made the 6C heavier, slower and cruder than William Lyons would have wanted it to be.
But they’re so pretty, and are Jaguars. Which means I’m agreeing with alfasud’s conclusion: bring the engine up to E-Type performance (with, please, a manual transmission, which I don’t recall seeing in any coupe), ditch the vinyl roof skin, and it’s all good.
I never got to drive or even ride in a 6C, but if it was half as nice as the standard four-door, it wouldn’t require much to make it a wonderful Grand Tourer.
Just me, but I think they should have stretched both ends a little. It looks a little too blocky even though it’s a 2-door.
Correct, these were made by cutting and rewelding saloon bodyshells, so all of them had vinyl roofs from the factory as a cost-effective solution to conceal the seam across the roof without a lot of expensive hand-finishing. That suggests this one, if not a restoration, has at least had a respray done after the vinyl was removed and the roof seam painstakingly smoothed over.
” but do some induction and exhaust mods to get a little more from the old girl.”
I hope you are not referring to “Sue”
Always wanted to mod one of these. Create a cool pro street car with bbc for power.
Sbc it instead, similar power and easier to fit in the engine bay
What a beautiful car. Interesting story the previous commenter told about the vinyl roof necessity. Did these models only come with automatic transmission?
In the states only had an automatic and every one had a vinyl roof!!! They look so much better with that vinyl roof removed!!! Great cars, only one I ever drove was the XJ12C, great freeway flyer!!! I always believe in keep the 6 cyl and do some upgrades, those that want the SBC can do their own but the 6 has plenty of power and easy to mod, easy to work on and maitain!! Those that say otherwise just really do not know how to work on or maintain Jaguars!!!
I had a 75 with a 327 corvette engine & a turbo 400.it was heavy,but the vette motor really helped.at 120 it really layer down & smooth. It was British racing green. & beautiful. I wish I still had it.
Had one of these. Put the 700R4 in it. Faster start, with quieter cruising.
Nothing worse than a Jag that sounds like an Impala when you hit the key.
Nothing wrong with it that an LS swap wouldn’t fix. I wouldn’t monkey around with its stock engine.
comments like this indicate you have no mechanical ability. A good mechanic will have the original Jaguar engine running great.
I had never seen the 2 door model of this Jaguar until this article. Love the lines of both it and the 4 door, would love to have this coupe!
May take a crack at it. Guarantee if I were to win it there will not be a chebbie engine close to it in my lifetime.
A friend of mine has one of these. Lovely car, in a dark blue green metallic. Not quite as good on the road as the XJ6 but better looking. He bought it with a blown motor. Put in a toyota Supra inline six. It is a modern engine so it is smoother, more power, more torque, easier to get parts for, more reliable, and easier to work on. Everything he wanted except one. The sound of my stock 3.8 S Type is so much nicer. I often remind him of that while he helps me tend to the latest need of my cream beauty.
I cant understand, why people put in modern engines into vintage cars. If I want to drive modern engine, I buy a modern car. If I want to drive a vintage car, I dotn mess with a modern engine… If you put a modern engine in it, you destroy the cars soul. Its not driving as a vintage car any more, it doesnt have vintage feeling and its not the vintage fun….
I do agree with you Marek. Not sure why everyone does it. Can explain it from what my friend told me and my experience.
My friend loves the lines of the XJ6C and the interior. He love to look at it and drive it. He is in his 70’s. When he was helping me adjust the valves in my 3.8 it took a day for his back to recover. Also he has a fear of being out for a drive with his ever so fun and supportive wife and the car overheats and leaves her on the side of the road. For him it was a choice of give up on vintage cars or compromise.
For me it is a case of what I like about the car. I would never put a modern engine in my Hudson, MGTD, or Jag. I have no problem exchanging the gas motor for an electric one in my Karmann Ghia. In my 20’s I bragged about being able to pull the 1600 out of my VW van in under 20 minutes. Needing to service a motor out so often is no longer charming. The electric Ghia has everything I enjoy about it still intact. The same top speed and power. Roll down the windows and roll along. The engine is not key to the Ghia like it is the Jag. A Ghia without oil leaks and valve adjustments is vintage that i enjoy.
Once I went & looked at a ’74 XJ6L.It was that gorgeous
maroon color.It had been sitting for about a year.I was pretty
excited about it.
I decided that I should take my friend to look at it,who
was also a first-rate mechanic.He talked me out of buying it,
which saved me thousands & thousands of dollars.
These kind of cars are emotional purchases.
I have noticed these here and there (and love the styling) but this is the first one I’ve seen without a vinyl roof tacked on. Looks great!
I think your estimate is half way there Jeff.I see high 20’s here ,as these are amazing coupes,and have been rising for several years.I was a bidder on the LS converted XJ6C on BaT 2 or 3 years ago,but someone paid close to 6 figures for what is surely the World’s best.I am okay with working on the straight 6 ,or a v8 conversion,as both will result in a nice car.I have a 66 E concours car,and a 69 with an LS1 so experiece in both.The 400 hp but rock stock looking LS car is way too much fun to drive ,but there are few engines as pretty to look at as the Jag 6, or 12 for that matter.I am tempted here, as I also have an extremely rare 1992 XJS 5 Speed in matching red on tan .If it goes for Jeff’s estimate ,I will be the buyer .
Very nice feature !
I believe that the XJS you are referring to had the 4.0in it too. Was lucky enough to drive one. With the 5 spd and 4.0 the car was transformed. Made it a much better car
These are cool, unique card with great character. I don’t know about the color and would opt for a re-spray down the road to British racing green but otherwise, the coupe is very cool with great lines.
This was a stock color that year. Remember seeing an XKE this color at a show. Was amazed at how the red hid the lines of the car. Took away so much of the style.
Very nice and rare car. I had two separate 74 XJ12Ls in the early 80’s. One white and one BRG. Last year of the carbureted 12. As others note, the un-vinylyzed roof is really nice! And red = wow! Fuel system is kind of funky with two tanks but these cars are so pretty and classy. I also used to love to see the Leyland XJ12C racing cars with huge flares. Did Walkinshaw also have one?
Item location:
Stockton, California,
Ended: Jun 13, 2021 , 8:34PM
Winning bid:US $14,600.00
[ 42 bids ]